A wheel lock configured for use in a movable apparatus is disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the movable apparatus can include a leg structure and a wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the leg structure. A wheel lock can extend through the wheel. The lock can have a first position in which the lock prevents rotation of the wheel from rotating and a second position in which the lock does not prevent rotation of the wheel. The second position can be axially displaced relative to the first position.
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15. A wheel lock comprising:
a sliding lock member comprising an end-piece and an elongated first stem extending from the end-piece;
a sliding release member comprising an end and an elongated second stem extending from the end and configured to be engaged with the first stem, the end-piece and the end disposed at opposing ends of the wheel lock such that the elongated first stem and the elongated second stem are disposed between the end-piece and the end, wherein a distal portion of the elongated first stem is connected to a distal portion of the elongated second stem; and
a detent member positioned within at least one of the first and second stems, the detent member having a projection that is biased to extend radially outwardly through a corresponding aperture within one of the stems, the projection configured to retract radially inwardly when a radially inward force exerted on the projection overcomes the radially outward bias of the projection.
4. A wheel locking system comprising:
an axle comprising an internal passage oriented along a longitudinal axis of the axle;
a wheel rotatably engaged with the axle, so that the wheel is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the axle, the axle disposed within a central passage of the wheel;
a wheel lock positioned within the internal passage of the axle, said wheel lock being movable within the passage along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position, the wheel lock comprising one or more locking projections extending parallel to the axle;
wherein:
when the wheel lock occupies the first position, the one or more locking projections extend through corresponding apertures into an interior of the wheel and the wheel lock prevents the wheel from rotating about the longitudinal axis; and
when the wheel lock occupies the second position, the one or more locking projections do not extend into the interior of the wheel and the wheel lock does not prevent the wheel from rotating about the longitudinal axis.
1. A movable apparatus comprising:
a leg structure;
at least one wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the leg structure by way of an axle, the axle extending within a central passage of the at least one wheel; and
a wheel lock extending through an internal passage of the axle of the wheel along a longitudinal axis of the wheel and configured to slide relative to the wheel, the lock having a first position in which the lock prevents rotation of the wheel, the lock having a second position in which the lock does not prevent rotation of the wheel, the second position being axially displaced relative to the first position along the longitudinal axis of the wheel,
wherein the wheel lock comprises one or more projections extending parallel to the axle, wherein, when the wheel lock occupies its first position, the one or more projections extend through corresponding apertures into an interior of the wheel, and
wherein, when the wheel lock occupies its second position, the one or more projections do not extend into the interior of the wheel.
13. A wheel locking system comprising:
an axle comprising an internal passage oriented along a longitudinal axis of the axle;
a wheel cover connected with respect to the axle, the wheel cover configured to cover a wheel rotatably engaged with the axle, the wheel cover including a sidewall at an end of the axle, the sidewall oriented generally transversely with respect to the axle, the sidewall including one or more apertures radially outward of the axle;
a wheel lock comprising a stem portion positioned within the internal passage of the axle, and an end-piece secured to the stem portion, the end-piece including one or more projections extending longitudinally toward the axle;
wherein:
the wheel lock is movable within the passage along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position;
the sidewall is interposed between the end-piece and the axle; and
when the wheel lock occupies its first position, the one or more projections of the end-piece extend through the one or more apertures of the sidewall into an interior of the wheel cover and the stem portion is disposed within the internal passage of the axle, and
when the wheel lock occupies its second position, the one or more projections of the end-piece do not extend into the interior of the wheel cover and the stem portion is disposed within the internal passage of the axle.
2. The movable apparatus of
3. The movable apparatus of
5. The wheel locking system of
a sliding lock member comprising an end-piece and an elongated first stem extending from the end-piece, the first stem inserted into the internal passage of the axle;
a sliding release member comprising an end and an elongated second stem extending from the end, the second stem inserted into the internal passage of the axle and engaged with the first stem; and
a detent member positioned within at least one of the first and second stems, the detent member having a portion that extends through an aperture within one of the first and second stems, the detent member portion configured to engage the axle so that the detent member prevents the wheel lock from moving between the first and second positions unless a longitudinal force exerted on the wheel lock exceeds a threshold force.
6. The wheel locking system of
7. The wheel locking system of
the detent member comprises at least one flexible prong, said detent member portion comprising a detent projection extending substantially radially outwardly from the prong;
the axle comprises a tubular wall and first and second holes in the tubular wall, the first and second holes being longitudinally spaced apart and each positioned at a same circumferential location along the tubular wall;
the detent projection extends through the first hole when the wheel lock is in the first position; and
the detent projection extends through the second hole when the wheel lock is in the second position.
8. The wheel lock of
9. The wheel lock of
10. The wheel locking system of
the detent member comprises a plurality of flexible prongs, each of the prongs including a projection extending substantially radially outwardly from the prong;
the axle comprises a tubular wall and multiple pairs of holes in the tubular wall, each pair of holes corresponding to one of the projections, each pair of holes comprising first and second holes that are longitudinally spaced apart and both positioned at a same circumferential location along the tubular wall;
each of the projections extends through the first hole of one of the pairs of holes when the wheel lock is in the first position; and
each of the projections extends through the second hole of one of the pairs of holes when the wheel lock is in the second position.
11. The wheel locking system of
12. The wheel locking system of
14. The wheel locking system of
16. The wheel lock of
17. The wheel locking system of
18. The wheel locking system of
19. The wheel locking system of
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/580,609, filed Dec. 27, 2011, entitled “WHEEL LOCK,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/582,127, filed Dec. 30, 2011, entitled “WHEEL LOCK,” each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes, and should be considered part of this specification.
1. Field
The field relates to a wheel lock, and in particular, to a wheel lock operably coupled to a wheel of a movable apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional hose reel devices may include one or more wheels to allow the user to move the hose reel device between locations during operation of the device. However, when the user pulls the hose or otherwise contacts the device during operation, conventional hose reel devices may roll if the wheels are not locked. Allowing the hose reel device to roll freely during operation may prevent the user from enjoying a stationary platform from which to operate the device. Thus, although it can be advantageous to selectively permit the hose reel device to roll, there is a continuing need for devices and apparatus that can prevent the hose reel device from rolling when the user so desires.
In one embodiment, the present application provides a movable apparatus comprising a leg structure, at least one wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the leg structure, and a wheel lock extending through the wheel along a longitudinal axis of the wheel. The wheel lock can be configured to slide relative to the wheel and can have a first position in which the lock prevents rotation of the wheel. The wheel lock can have a second position in which the lock does not prevent rotation of the wheel. The second position can be axially displaced relative to the first position along the longitudinal axis of the wheel.
In another embodiment, a wheel locking system is disclosed. The wheel locking system can include an axle comprising an internal passage oriented along a longitudinal axis of the axle. A wheel can be rotatably engaged with the axle, so that the wheel is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the axle. A wheel lock can be positioned within the internal passage of the axle. The wheel lock can be movable within the passage along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position. The wheel lock prevents the wheel from rotating about the longitudinal axis when the wheel lock occupies the first position. The wheel lock does not prevent the wheel from rotating about the longitudinal axis when the wheel lock occupies the second position.
In yet another embodiment, a wheel locking system is disclosed. The wheel locking system can have an axle comprising an internal passage oriented along a longitudinal axis of the axle. A wheel cover can be connected with respect to the axle, and can be configured to cover a wheel rotatably engaged with the axle. The wheel cover can include a sidewall at an end of the axle. The sidewall can be oriented generally transversely with respect to the axle, and can include one or more apertures radially outward of the axle. A wheel lock can have a stem portion positioned within the internal passage of the axle, and an end-piece secured to the stem portion. The end-piece can include one or more projections extending longitudinally toward the axle. The wheel lock can be movable within the passage along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position. The sidewall can be interposed between the end-piece and the axle. When the wheel lock occupies its first position, the one or more projections of the end-piece extend through the one or more apertures of the sidewall into an interior of the wheel cover.
In another embodiment, a wheel lock is disclosed. The wheel lock can have a sliding lock member having an end-piece and an elongated first stem extending from the end-piece. A sliding release member can include an end and an elongated second stem extending from the end and configured to engage with the first stem. A detent member can be positioned within at least one of the first and second stems. The detent member can have at least one projection that is biased to extend radially outwardly through a corresponding aperture within one of the stems. The projection can be configured to retract radially inwardly when a radially inward force exerted on the projection overcomes the radially outward bias of the projection.
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described above and as further described below. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.
A more detailed description of various embodiments of the wheel lock and components thereof are set forth below. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The present application discloses a wheel lock system for a mobile apparatus, such as a cart or reel. In various embodiments, the wheel lock system is applied to wheels or rollers of a reel for winding and unwinding a linear material, such as a hose or electrical cord. In various embodiments, the wheel lock system is applied to a leg structure mounted to a housing of a reel, such as a hose reel device. Exemplary reel housings and leg structures suitable for wheel lock systems according to embodiments of the present application are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US-2009-0057472-A1 to James B. A. Tracey. Exemplary reel systems suitable for provision within such housings are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US-2006-0266868-A1 to Caamano et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 7,419,038 to Caamano et al.
Various mobile apparatuses, for example, can include one or more wheels to enable a user to move the apparatus during operation. During operation of the mobile apparatus, it can be desirable to selectively engage and disengage a wheel lock operably connected to the wheel(s). For example, for a hose reel or cord reel, if the user is operating the hose or cord at a particular location and the user desires to operate from a relatively stationary platform, engaging the wheel lock may prevent the reel apparatus from rolling when the user pulls at the hose or cord, or otherwise contacts the reel apparatus. When the user is ready to move to a different location, the user may disengage the wheel lock to allow the reel apparatus to roll to a new location. Further, to simplify the use of the mobile apparatus, it can be desirable to provide a wheel lock that is easy to engage and/or disengage. Wheel locks that require complicated user actions to engage or disengage the lock may cause the mobile apparatus to be unwieldy and difficult to maneuver. Accordingly, it can be advantageous to incorporate a wheel lock into various movable devices that is reliable and easy to engage and disengage.
In various embodiments disclosed herein, a user-engageable wheel lock for a movable apparatus (e.g., a hose or cord reel device) is disclosed. The disclosed wheel lock can have an engaged or locked position, and a disengaged or unlocked position. In the engaged position, the wheel of the movable apparatus can be prevented from rolling. In the disengaged position, the wheel can be free to roll. The disclosed wheel lock can made such that a user can easily engage and disengage the lock. For example, when the user wants to operate the movable apparatus from a stationary position, the user may engage the wheel lock by sliding it axially through the wheel in a first longitudinal direction. In some arrangements, the user can kick the lock with his or her foot, or press the lock by hand, to slide it into the locked position. When the user wants to move the movable apparatus, the user may simply disengage the wheel lock by sliding it in a second longitudinal direction opposite the first direction (e.g., by kicking the lock with his/her foot or pressing the lock with his/her hand) until the lock reaches the unlocked position. Once the lock reaches the second position, the wheel lock may be disengaged, and the movable apparatus may be able to roll freely to the next location.
The detent member 32 has an insertion end 44 and a plurality (two in the illustrated embodiment) of flexible prongs 46 opposite the insertion end 44. Each prong 46 has a projection 48 that extends radially outward. The detent member 32 can be sized and shaped to be slidably inserted into the stem 34. The detent member 32 may be fit tightly within the stem 34 to aid in securing the detent member 32 to the stem 34. The prongs 46 may compress radially inward so that the detent member 32 fits into the stem 34. The detent member 32 can be slid into the stem 34 until the projections 48 extend through the apertures 38, which retain the detent member 32 within the stem 34.
The illustrated leg structure 50 includes an inner body portion 52 and an outer body portion 54 secured together. For example, the inner and outer body portions 52, 54 can be secured together in any of a variety of different ways, such as via screws, nut and bolt combinations, inter-engaging flexible snap-fit members, or the like. The leg structure 50 is preferably adapted to be mounted to a housing of a mobile apparatus, such as a reel. In preferred embodiments, the inner body portion 52 is connected to the housing, such as by bolts or the like extending through the inner body portion 52 or through both body portions 52, 54. The lower ends of the body portions 52, 54 define mounting structures for the wheels 10. Each of the lower ends of the inner body portion 52 includes a wheel cover portion 56 and an axle portion 58. The wheel cover portion 56 includes a side wall 57. Similarly, each of the lower ends of the outer body portion 54 includes a wheel cover portion 60 and an axle portion 62. The wheel cover portion 60 includes a side wall 61. The axle portion 58 has an internal passage 66 defined by a tubular wall of the axle portion 58, and the axle portion 62 has an internal passage 68 defined by a tubular wall of the axle portion 62.
With reference to
The sliding release member 70 includes an end-piece 72 and a stem 74. In the illustrated embodiment, the end-piece 72 is a disk-shaped flange, but it can have other shapes (e.g., flat, square, oval). The stem 74 has an insertion end with a plurality (four in the illustrated embodiment) of flexible prongs 76. Each prong 76 has a radially outwardly extending projection 78. The prongs 76 and stem 74 can be inserted into the interior of the stem 34 of the sliding lock member 30. The prongs 76 and stem 74 may fit within the stem 34 when the prongs 76 are compressed radially inward. The stem 74 can slide within the stem 34 until the projections 78 engage with the projection-engagement portions 40 of the stem 34, described above with respect to
In some embodiments, the projections 78 can engage a variety of structures (e.g., various types of projection-engagement portions 40) to couple the sliding release member 70 with the sliding lock member 30. For instance, as described above, the projections 78 can engage a plurality of holes or recesses (examples of projection-engagement portions 40) in the interior wall of the stem 34. In embodiments where the stem 34 includes a plurality of holes or recesses for engaging the projections 78, the holes or recesses can be substantially circumferentially aligned, and each hole or recess can correspond to a different projection 78. Each projection 78 can thus be received and secured within the corresponding hole or recess. In addition, the projections 78 can have an annular ring structure that can be received in the projection-engagement portions or other receiving structure in the sliding lock member 30. Skilled artisans will recognize that other means of coupling the sliding release member 70 to the stem 34 of the sliding lock member 30 are possible and within the scope of this application. As described herein, the structures may receive the projections 78 (e.g., holes, recesses, circumferential groove, etc.) in the stem 34 can generally be considered projection-engagement portions 40 of the stem 34.
In yet other embodiments (not illustrated) of the projection-engagement portions 40 of the stem 34, the sliding release member 70 may not slide within the stem 34. In such embodiments, the projections 78 and/or prongs 76 can engage projection-engagement portions on the outer surface of the tubular wall of the stem 34 of the sliding lock member 30. For example, the projections 78 and/or prongs 76 can engage a circumferential groove (or one or more recesses or holes, as described above) on the outer surface of the tubular wall of the stem 34 by sliding over the distal end 41 of the stem 34 and engaging the circumferential groove (or holes or recesses) on the outer tubular wall of the stem 34. As above, skilled artisans will recognize that other mechanisms of coupling the sliding release member 70 to the stem 34 of the sliding lock member 30 are possible and within the scope of this application.
In this position, e.g., when the projections 78 engage the projection-engagement portions 40, the sliding lock member 30 and sliding release member 70 are engaged together and effectively act as a single unitary piece. While the detent member 32 is described above as fitting within the stem 34 of the sliding lock member 30, in some embodiments, the detent member 32 can fit within an internal passageway of the stem 74 of the sliding release member 70. In these embodiments, the detent member 32 can generally function as described above with respect to
Reference is now made to
A user can unlock the wheel 10 by sliding the wheel lock 30, 70 in the second, opposite direction 75, as shown in
The detent member 32 within the sliding lock member 30 can help retain the wheel lock 30, 70 in its first or second position unless overcome by sufficient force to slide the wheel lock axially to its other position. For example, in arrangements without the detent member 32, the wheel lock 30, 70 may be unrestrained in the longitudinal direction, e.g., along the longitudinal axis 64. In such situations, the wheel may be susceptible to accidental engagement and/or disengagement when only slight forces are applied to the wheel lock 30, 70.
When the user wants to lock the wheel 10, the user applies an inward force to the end piece 36 of the sliding lock member 30 parallel to the stem 34 in the direction of the wheel 10 (e.g., in the first direction 73). This inward force can cause the projections 48 to contact the divider walls 94 of the tubular wall of the stem 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the projections 48 of the prongs 46 can compress radially inward upon contact with the divider wall 94 in order to allow the wheel lock 30, 70 to switch between its first and second positions. The projections 48 can be biased to extend radially outwardly (e.g., through one of the locking apertures 90, 92). However, when an applied radial force (e.g., with a force component normal to the stem 34) exceeds a certain threshold, the projections 48 can be inwardly compressed. Thus, if the user applies sufficient force to overcome the stiffness of the projections 48 and prongs 46, then the projections 48 and prongs 46 can correspondingly deform radially and retract into the internal passage of the stem 34. Therefore, the locking apertures 90, 92 and the divider wall 94 can operably interact with the projections 48 and prongs 46 of the sliding lock member 30 to form a wheel lock with two states—locked (engaged) and unlocked (disengaged).
As the user pushes the end-piece 36 toward the wheel 10 in the first direction 73, the retracted projections 48 can slide along an internal surface of the tubular wall of the axle portion 62. When the projections 48 reach the first locking apertures 90, past the divider wall 94, the projections 48 can again extend radially outwardly through the first locking apertures 90 due to the outward bias of the projections 48 discussed above. In this first position, the wheel 10 can thereby be locked to prevent rotation of the wheel 10, as discussed above.
To unlock the wheel 10, the user can push the end-piece 72 in the second, opposite direction 75. If the user applies sufficient force, the projections 48 can again retract into the stem 34 until the projections 48 reach the second position (unlocked), e.g., at the second locking apertures 92.
One advantage of using flexible projections 48 is that the projections 48 and prongs 46 can be tailored to have a stiffness that is high enough to prevent inadvertent actuation, but low enough to allow a user to easily actuate the wheel lock. As shown in
Although this disclosure has been described in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this disclosure, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the disclosure. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with, or substituted for, one another in order to form varying modes of the embodiments of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the disclosure herein should not be limited by the particular embodiments described above.
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Dec 21 2012 | Great Stuff, Inc. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Sep 17 2013 | TRACEY, JAMES B A | Great Stuff, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 031252 | /0688 |
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